Why political prisoners matter
Today, May 12, marks the 40th anniversary of the Moscow Helsinki Group, a human rights organization created to monitor the Soviet Union’s compliance with the Helsinki Accords, notes Natan… Read more »
Category: Civil Society
Iran’s ‘unfinished revolution’
When Iran makes headlines, it is usually as a result of its conflicts with other countries, notes analyst Ervand Abrahamian. Far less attention is paid to Iran’s conflicts with itself, which are… Read more »
Is Democracy Healthy in Latin America?
As Peruvians prepare for presidential elections, Brazilians contemplate presidential impeachment, Haitians face continued electoral postponements, and Venezuela considers a recall referendum on Nicolás Maduro, among other challenges, our expert panel… Read more »
Venezuela’s opposition ‘hits wall’ of institutional Chavismo
Venezuela’s opposition moved quickly on its electoral promise to press for sweeping change after its legislative election victory, but quickly hit a wall, Bloomberg reports: That wall was built with… Read more »
Pakistan must investigate killing of activist, says rights group
Pakistani authorities should conduct a prompt and impartial investigation into the killing of human rights activist Khurram Zaki, who had been publicly critical of extremist cleric Abdul Aziz (above) and militant sectarian… Read more »
Kleptocracy: the real scandal behind the Panama Papers
A “Kleptocracy Tour” of London’s luxury houses bought by shady international tycoons and officials was set up by anti-corruption campaigner Roman Borisovich, who aims to expose dirty money fueling… Read more »
U.S. poised to end ban on arms sales to Vietnam, keep sanctions on Myanmar
The United States isn’t ready to fully shed sanctions in Myanmar, instead awaiting progress on issues including human rights as the government run by former opposition leader Aung San Suu… Read more »
Philippines at risk of succumbing to dictatorship?
Anti-establishment firebrand Rodrigo Duterte secured a huge win in the Philippine presidential elections, according to a poll monitor on Tuesday (May 10), after an incendiary campaign dominated by his… Read more »
Time to counter foreign disinformation
Fifteen years ago, the idea that foreign disinformation might be a problem for European countries seemed ludicrous, note columnist Anne Applebaum and Edward Lucas, a senior editor at the Economist…. Read more »
Can populist demagogue help resolve Iraq’s ‘profound political crisis’?
The top U.N. envoy in Iraq strongly urged the country’s leaders and civil society on Friday to work together to resolve the current political deadlock, warning that the ongoing crisis… Read more »